The first thing that really impresses on the viewer of Black Rock is the unsettling level of menace.

Full Review | Original Score: 10/10 | Jan 28, 2024

Few sights in this world are as beautiful as watching rednecks get their comeuppance, and Spencer Tracy’s stubborn vet is determined to take care of business in this tight (81 minutes) thriller.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Apr 4, 2023

The skill of some sequences, the mood and symbiosis between man and nature makes this film sometimes superior to High Noon by Fred Zinnemann.

Full Review | Dec 15, 2021

John Sturges's mise-en-scene is careful to expand to the dimensions of CinemaScope... Bad Day at Black Rock is not, however, a masterpiece; it is at best a sympathetic film, well done, that is sometimes engaging.

Full Review | Dec 8, 2021

As a noir-tinged Western hybrid, the film is a classic character study, morality play, and adventurous mystery.

Full Review | Original Score: 7/10 | Aug 15, 2020

A tense, marvelous film-noir Western, if there is such a thing, and if not then this movie created the genre.

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | Jul 15, 2019

I think it's really great the way it addresses the way small communities and isolated communities close in on themselves to protect ugliness.

Full Review | Mar 4, 2014

This was an early CinemaScope film, and William Mellor frames it all beautifully. It's an outstanding thriller.

Full Review | Mar 4, 2014

Famous suspense film, with a history lesson and Civil Rights message.

Full Review | Aug 16, 2012

Serves as a moralizing Hollywood lecture on racial prejudice against Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Full Review | Original Score: B- | Jul 29, 2012

Fabulous 1955 Spencer Tracy story of prejudice.

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Sep 23, 2010

a portrait of American distrust leading into the potent paranoia of the Cold War

Full Review | Original Score: 4.5/5 | May 24, 2010

John Sturges's macho B-picture is more brawn than brains...but what brawn!

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | May 19, 2010

Millard Kaufman's dialogue at times sticks to the roof of the mouth, but Sturges' visual construction is minute

Full Review | Sep 5, 2009

A nerve-shredding masterpiece.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 27, 2009

Tracy is at his subdued, thoughtful best, while Ryan perfectly conveys the ignorance behind racial prejudice and Borgnine and Marvin are memorable heavies.

Full Review | Original Score: 4/4 | Mar 27, 2009

An action film for people who don't like action films.

Full Review | Mar 27, 2009

Considerable excitement is whipped up in this suspense drama, and fans who go for tight action will find it entirely satisfactory.

Full Review | Sep 9, 2008

One of Spencer Tracy's best performances

Full Review | Original Score: 5/5 | Aug 17, 2006

Nicely put together by Sturges, its suspense derives largely from the excellent performances and imaginative use of the 'Scope frame by cameraman William C Mellor.

Full Review | Jan 26, 2006